Hamann To Winner: I'll Investigate Mitnick, Thank You

Inspector General Kristine Hamann wasted no time replying to Senate Investigations Committee Chairman George Winner’s contention that the IG should turn over its investigation to Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

“I am not at this time referring this matter to the Attorney General’s Office,” Hamann said in an letter released several hours after Winner, R-Elmira said the IG should turn over its investigation of Eliot Spitzer’ former energy advisor to the AG.

The nexus in these battling e-mails is Spitzer’s secretary Richard Baum. The IG halted its Troopergate investigation when they concluded that it led to Baum, who oversees the investigative agency.

Because Mitnick, the former energy adviser who allegedly bullied and threatened Public Service Commission member Cheryl Buley, said in a newspaper article last week that he had talked to Baum about Buley, the thought is that too would pose a potential conflict.

But Hamann disagreed, noting that pretty much the entire executive branch reports in some way to Baum and to simply turn over every investigation for a possible conflict is unrealistic.

Winner, who has invited Hamann to appear at his Sept 5 hearing on Troopergate and related legislation, disagreed.

“That’s her position,” Winner said, adding “I don’t share it.”

He added that he thinks it “inconceivable” that Hamann wouldn’t show up at the Senate’s Sep. 5 hearing, which is ostensibly set to review legislation affecting the IG’s office (see prior blog posting)

Hamann sent a representative to the Aug. 9 hearing, even though her office had at one point said she would be there.